Cricket Wirelesshttp://www.maclife.com/taxonomy/term/11664/all
enWeekend Recap: iTunes 11.2.1 Users Fix, AT&T + DirecTV, Pioneer CarPlay Demohttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/weekend_recap_itunes_1121_users_fix_att_directv_pioneer_carplay_demo
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/att_logo_on_building_620px.png" alt="AT&amp;T logo on building" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>Did you know Samsung now has its own terminal at Heathrow Airport in London? <a href="http://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-taking-over-heathrows-terminal-5-peddle-galaxy-s5" target="_blank">According to Android Central</a>, the Korean smartphone giant managed to cut a deal with one of the world's busiest airports to rebrand Terminal 5 as "Terminal Samsung Galaxy S5" starting today (May 19), and running for the next two weeks. And hey, if that type of advertising sways you, the company's latest flagship handset will be available for purchase at Dixons Travel stores in the very same terminal. But that's far from the only big deal going down this past weekend, as our recap reveals...</p><h3>iTunes 11.2.1 Update Fixes Hidden Users Folder Bug</h3><p>Apple released OS X Mavericks 10.9.3 and iTunes 11.2 on Friday, but within hours, word began to spread the updates were causing the /Users folder to become inadvertently hidden. <a href="http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/hidden-users-folder-result-of-itunes-11.2-and-find-my-mac-combination-not-1" target="_blank">According to The Mac Observer</a>, the problem stemmed from iTunes 11.2 and not the actual OS X update, and only systems with Find My Mac activated appeared to be afflicted. Apple moved swiftly to rectify the problem, <a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2014/05/16/apple-11-2-1-itunes-bug-fix/" target="_blank">with MacRumors reporting Friday night</a> that Apple had issued an iTunes 11.2.1 patch that managed to get things working again, so be sure to install that update if you're running OS X Mavericks.</p><h3>It's a Deal: AT&amp;T Announces Plans to Acquire DirecTV</h3><p>Rumor no more: <a href="http://about.att.com/story/att_to_acquire_directv.html" target="_blank">AT&amp;T announced Sunday</a> the telecom's intention to acquire DirecTV in a stock and cash deal valued at nearly $50 billion. AT&amp;T claims the deal would create a "content distribution leader across mobile, web, and broadband platforms" capable of offering "significant benefits to consumers" as well as a "continued commitment" to the FCC's original 2010 Open Internet proposals for at least three years. According to the press release, 15 million more customers will have access to high-speed broadband as part of the acquisition, and AT&amp;T plans to include the satellite TV provider in its packaged offerings, while at the same time promising to offer standalone service at the same prices for "at least" three years from closing date.</p><h3>Pioneer Shows Off Forthcoming Third-Party CarPlay System</h3><p>There's been a lot of chatter about Apple's new CarPlay coming to aftermarket systems, but how would that really work? <a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/2147901/carplay-for-the-rest-of-us-pioneer-demos-apples-interface-in-its-nex-infotainment-systems.html" target="_blank">Macworld managed to get a demo</a> of Pioneer's forthcoming CarPlay update to its NEX infotainment system, and judging from the video, the experience won't be all that different from buying a new automobile with CarPlay installed at the factory — at least for those with a touchscreen panel like the AVH-8000NEX built into their dashboard. The report notes that CarPlay "isn't a final product yet" so it's still early, and Pioneer plans to add Apple's technology to existing aftermarket products via a software update that can be downloaded from the company's website.</p><p><object id="flashObj" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="480" height="270" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&amp;isUI=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=3570293599001&amp;linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macworld.com%2Farticle%2F2147901%2Fcarplay-for-the-rest-of-us-pioneer-demos-apples-interface-in-its-nex-infotainment-systems.html&amp;playerID=2577467285001&amp;playerKey=AQ~~,AAACV85RErE~,AhFpv0ECqwFfthhmRu5jnOs8FUs2r9mP&amp;domain=embed&amp;dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="270" src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&amp;isUI=1" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" swliveconnect="true" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" seamlesstabbing="false" name="flashObj" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" flashvars="videoId=3570293599001&amp;linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macworld.com%2Farticle%2F2147901%2Fcarplay-for-the-rest-of-us-pioneer-demos-apples-interface-in-its-nex-infotainment-systems.html&amp;playerID=2577467285001&amp;playerKey=AQ~~,AAACV85RErE~,AhFpv0ECqwFfthhmRu5jnOs8FUs2r9mP&amp;domain=embed&amp;dynamicStreaming=true" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"></embed></object></p><h3>Evernote Reaches 100M User Milestone</h3><p>People love milestones, and "second brain" service <a href="http://blog.evernote.com/blog/2014/05/13/evernote-reaches-100-million-users/" target="_blank">Evernote reached a mighty big one last week</a> with the announcement of 100 million unique users — and a whole lot more than that if you factor in usage overlap between the company's Evernote, Skitch, Penultimate, and other apps. Since launching in 2008, Evernote has racked up 27 million users in the U.S. and Canada, with even more — 35 million — in Asia Pacific, another 27 million across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and 8 million in Latin America. "One of the most interesting things about this initial stage of Evernote’s growth, is that our 100 million users overwhelmingly found our products by themselves, without much external encouragement," Evernote CEO Phil Libin reveals. "We’ve spent very little money on promoting our products, in fact our total spend on advertising to date comes out to less than one cent per user." Congrats to Evernote, and here's to the next 100 million!</p><h3>AT&amp;T Reboots Cricket as National Brand, Swallows Aio Wireless</h3><p>AT&amp;T wasn't just busy assimilating DirecTV this weekend — the nation's second-place carrier also <a href="http://cricketwireless.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=20295&amp;item=122403" target="_blank">relaunched the prepaid Cricket Wireless</a> brand it acquired last summer, and will fold the existing Aio Wireless brand into the Cricket fold. Tapping into the company's 4G LTE network, the newly emboldened Cricket will offer no-contract plans starting as low as $35 per month after a $5 credit for autopay customers, with international calling plans starting at $15 per month. AT&amp;T claims Cricket will offer "more 4G LTE coverage than Sprint, T-Mobile, and MetroPCS" to more than 280 million Americans, with more than 3,000 "newly redesigned and rebranded" retail stores, and more on the way.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/weekend_recap_itunes_1121_users_fix_att_directv_pioneer_carplay_demo#commentsNews10.9.3aftermarketAT&TCarPlayCricket WirelessDirecTVEvernoteiTunesOS X MavericksPioneerSamsungweekend recapiPhoneMacMon, 19 May 2014 12:48:12 +0000J.R. Bookwalter19981 at http://www.maclife.comOvernight Recap: 1Password Wi-Fi Sync, BlackBerry Plea, Cricket New iPhoneshttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/overnight_recap_1password_wifi_sync_blackberry_plea_cricket_new_iphones
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/1password_wi-fi_sync_620px.png" alt="1Password Wi-Fi Sync" width="620" height="300" /></p><p><p>Oh, BlackBerry, you've done it again! The smartphone maker formerly known as Research in Motion has penned an open letter published in major news outlets around the globe to reconfirm that it's not going anywhere — but will it be enough for faithful users to stick it out until the company can reverse its downward slide? Sure, it can say whatever it likes, but users will need to see real results or continue to defect to the iPhone or Android. Read on to find out more, including the fate of the BBM app...</p></p><h3>1Password 4.3 for iOS Restores Wi-Fi Sync</h3><p>Following the release of 1Password 4 for Mac last week, <a href="http://blog.agilebits.com/2013/10/14/1password-4-3-for-ios-brings-wi-fi-sync-custom-browser-agents-more/" target="_blank">the folks at AgileBits unleashed 1Password 4.3 for iOS on Monday</a>, which restores Wi-Fi sync for users who prefer to leave their sensitive data entirely out of the cloud. The update also adds the ability to change the built-in "1Browser" to be recognized as Safari for iPhone, iPad or Mac as well as Firefox and Chrome, along with additional iOS 7 support. The company notes that a full-on iOS 7 refresh is still on the way as a free update.</p><h3>BlackBerry to Customers: "We Are Here to Stay"</h3><p><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/14/us-blackberry-appeal-idUSBRE99D0L420131014" target="_blank">Reuters reported Monday</a> that Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry has penned an open letter to customers published in 30 news outlets across nine countries in an effort to reverse negative headlines in recent months. "We want customers to know that they can continue to count on us — we are here to stay," said BlackBerry Chief Marketing Officer Frank Boulben. "We have substantial cash on our balance sheet and we have no debt. We are restructuring our cost base and this is a very painful transition, but it will make us financially stronger and we want to get that message directly to our customers." Boulben makes valid points, but it's hard not to see the open letter as a desperate plea considering the company's very public missteps lately. The executive also claims the suspended release of BlackBerry Messenger for iPhone will continue "within days," with more than six million smartphone users already pre-registered for information on the release.</p><h3>Prepaid Carrier Cricket Boards iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c Train</h3><p><a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2013/10/14/cricket-to-offer-iphone-5s-and-iphone-5c-starting-october-25/" target="_blank">MacRumors reported Monday</a> that Cricket Wireless isn't being left behind when it comes to the latest iPhones. Starting Oct. 25, the U.S. regional carrier will begin offering the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s as part of its contract-free nationwide talk, text and data plans which include 4G LTE as well as old-school CDMA-powered 3G. Earlier this year, parent company Leap Wireless stated that iPhone sales weren't living up to expectations, only to turn around and announce first-quarter financial results that showed the handset was selling well, despite setbacks elsewhere in the company.</p><h3>Windows Phone 8 Update Ready for Bigger Screens</h3><p><a href="http://blogs.windows.com/windows_phone/b/windowsphone/archive/2013/10/14/announcing-our-third-windows-phone-8-update-plus-a-new-developer-preview-program.aspx" target="_blank">Microsoft announced Monday</a> that Windows Phone 8 Update 3 has been released to developers, which is expected to arrive on user's handsets "over the next several months." The update is literally a big deal for Windows Phone 8 fans, since it enables support for larger (five or six inch), 1080p high-resolution displays with more Live Tiles on the home screen. Update 3 will also support faster processors, specifically the quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, as well as a new Driving Mode, improved internet sharing, more custom ringtones and better storage management. The update marks the first time developers have received early access to new builds, which will continue with the new Developer Preview Program.</p><h3>U.S. Cellular Joins Shared Data Plan Bandwagon</h3><p>If you can't beat 'em, join 'em? <a href="http://www.uscellular.com/uscellular/plans/showPlans.jsp?plan-selector-type=shared&amp;type=plans#listing" target="_blank">Regional carrier U.S. Cellular debuted shared data plans this week</a>, presumably in an effort to stay competitive with current offerings from Verizon Wireless and AT&amp;T. Each plan includes unlimited talk and text plus data tethering (i.e., Mobile Hotspot), with monthly plans starting at $40 per month for 300MB plus per-device connection charge. Through the end of 2013, the carrier is also offering a 25 percent discount on new Shared Data plans 6GB or higher.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/overnight_recap_1password_wifi_sync_blackberry_plea_cricket_new_iphones#commentsNews1Password 4AgileBitsApp StoreblackberryCricket WirelessiPhone 5CiPhone 5Sovernight recapWi-Fi syncWindows Phone 8iPadiPhoneTue, 15 Oct 2013 12:28:13 +0000J.R. Bookwalter18319 at http://www.maclife.comCricket Announces iPhone 5 Prepaid Version Coming September 28http://www.maclife.com/article/news/cricket_announces_iphone_5_prepaid_version_coming_september_28
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/cricket_wireless_savings_200px.png" alt="Cricket Wireless" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />Although the company is shy on details, Leap Wireless subsidiary Cricket has announced itself as the first prepaid carrier for Apple's new iPhone 5, with the handset available on Friday, September 28.<br /><br /><a href="http://leapwireless.mediaroom.com/2012-09-13-Cricket-to-Offer-iPhone-5" target="_blank">Cricket has issued a press release</a> to stake its claim as the first prepaid carrier to offer Apple's latest iPhone 5. However, if you're the sort who likes details about how much it will cost, you may have to wait just a bit longer.<br /><br />"Cricket Communications, a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless services, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leap Wireless International, Inc., today announced it will offer iPhone 5, the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever, to customers in select Cricket markets in the U.S. beginning Friday, September 28," the brief press release reads.<br /><br />The release does point to a <a href="http://www.mycricket.com/iphone5" target="_blank">dedicated iPhone 5 page on the company's website</a>, but there's no pricing information be found there, either.<br /><br />Like the previous iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S offerings from the carrier, Cricket uses Sprint's 3G network, although we would assume 4G LTE will also eventually work once the parent carrier begins rolling it out to enough locations.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/cricket_announces_iphone_5_prepaid_version_coming_september_28#commentsNews4G LTEannouncementCricket Wirelessiphone 5Leap WirelessPrepaidpress releaseseptemberSprintiPhoneThu, 13 Sep 2012 12:44:30 +0000J.R. Bookwalter15049 at http://www.maclife.comVirgin Mobile USA Announces Prepaid iPhone, Available Starting June 29http://www.maclife.com/article/news/virgin_mobile_usa_announces_prepaid_iphone_available_starting_june_29
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/virgin_iphone_4s_coming_soon_200px.png" alt="Virgin Mobile iPhone 4S Coming Soon" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />One thing’s for sure: Apple isn’t going to waste any time at Monday’s keynote talking about new carrier deals for the iPhone. As widely rumored earlier this week, Virgin Mobile has announced that it will begin selling the iconic handset on June 29.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120607005360/en/Virgin-Mobile-USA-Offer-iPhone-June-29" target="_blank">Virgin Mobile USA has made it official</a>: The Sprint-owned subsidiary is now the second prepaid carrier in the United States to offer a prepaid iPhone, <a href="http://www.virginmobileusa.com/iphone" target="_blank">which will be available beginning Friday, June 29</a>.<br /><br />“Virgin Mobile will offer iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S with its Beyond Talk unlimited data and messaging plans as low as $30 per-month on the Sprint Nationwide Network,” the company announced in a press release on Thursday. “iPhone will be available without a contract and with no fees for activation or roaming. New and existing customers can purchase iPhone at www.virginmobileusa.com, RadioShack, Best Buy and select local retailers.”<br /><br />Unfortunately for Virgin Mobile fans, they’re getting dinged much harder on the up-front cost of the hardware: $549 for an 8GB iPhone 4 or $649 for a 16GB iPhone 4S, <a href="http://www.mycricket.com/iphone" target="_blank">compared to the previously announced Cricket Wireless pricing</a> of $399.99 and $499.99, respectively.<br /><br />However, the higher cost of the hardware does come with the advantage of more choice. Virgin Mobile USA is offering three different pricing plans starting at $35 per month for 300 voice minutes with unlimited text and data; customers who register for automatic monthly payments get a $5 per month discount that drops that to only $30 -- quite a bit less than Cricket’s all-unlimited $55 per month plan.<br /><br />For chattier Virgin customers, $40 (with discount) ups the voice minutes to 1,200 while $50 (after discount) gives you unlimited freedom across the board, although data speeds are throttled after the first 2.5GB regardless.<br /><br />“This month marks Virgin Mobile USA’s tenth birthday,” said Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group. “And what better way to thank our fans for ten years of loyalty than by giving them exactly what they want: the perfect plan for the perfect phone. That is the essence of ‘A Higher Calling.’”<br /><br /><a href="http://www.virginmobileusa.com/iphone" target="_blank">Interested customers can sign up for email updates on the Virgin Mobile USA website</a> as well as check out a coverage map of Sprint’s 3G network.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/virgin_mobile_usa_announces_prepaid_iphone_available_starting_june_29#commentsNewsCricket Wirelessiphone 4iPhone 4SPrepaidprepaid iphoneRichard BransonSprintunlimited dataVirgin MobileiPhoneThu, 07 Jun 2012 13:11:59 +0000J.R. Bookwalter14254 at http://www.maclife.comRumor: Boost Mobile May Be Next U.S. iPhone Prepaid Carrierhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/rumor_boost_mobile_may_be_next_us_iphone_prepaid_carrier
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/boost_mobile_logo_200px.png" alt="Boost Mobile" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />The announcement Thursday that Cricket Wireless had landed a plum deal as Apple’s sole prepaid carrier in the United States is now leading to speculation that it could be the first of many, with Boost Mobile fingered as next in line.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.technobuffalo.com/companies/apple/boost-mobile-to-offer-iphone-4s-and-iphone-4-starting-in-early-september/" target="_blank">TechnoBuffalo is reporting</a> that Cricket Wireless won’t be alone in offering the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S with prepaid plans here in the U.S. -- come September, <a href="http://www.boostmobile.com/" target="_blank">Boost Mobile</a> may also join the club.<br /><br />“A trusted source has advised that the prepaid carrier will introduce both the iPhone 4 and 4S in early September,” the report reveals. “It remains uncertain if the Sprint-powered MVNO will offer its popular $50 Month Unlimited plan with Shrinkage, which includes unlimited talk, text and web, which also rewards customers who pay their bill on time by reducing their monthly bill by $5 down to as low as $35 per month.”<br /><br />On Thursday, Cricket Wireless announced a deal with Apple that offered an 8GB iPhone 4 for $399.99 or 16GB iPhone 4S for $499.99 with a no-contract, prepaid $55 per month package that includes unlimited talk, text and data.<br /><br />Aside from the up-front cost of the device, the only real “gotcha” with this deal is the data is throttled after 2.3GB, but otherwise Cricket is offering an extremely competitive alternative to the post-paid plans offered by AT&amp;T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint.<br /><br />The only curious part of the Boost Mobile rumor is, why would Apple wait until September to launch on the carrier? By then, Cupertino will be within a month or so of the next iPhone, although it’s likely to keep the older handsets selling for users who want less expensive options.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/rumor_boost_mobile_may_be_next_us_iphone_prepaid_carrier#commentsNewsBoost MobileCricket Wirelessiphone 4iPhone 4Sno-contractprepaid iphoneRumorsseptemberunlimited dataiPhoneFri, 01 Jun 2012 11:30:03 +0000J.R. Bookwalter14204 at http://www.maclife.comU.S. Finally Gets Prepaid iPhone, Thanks to Cricket Wirelesshttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/us_finally_gets_prepaid_iphone_thanks_cricket_wireless
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/cricket_wireless_savings_200px.png" alt="Cricket Wireless: Real unlimited, unreal savings" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />It's only taken five years since the original iPhone went on sale in 2007, but at long last, Apple’s iconic handset finally has a prepaid version available here in the U.S., thanks to Cricket Wireless and a new $55 per month unlimited plan.<br /><br /><a href="http://leapwireless.mediaroom.com/2012-05-31-Cricket-Wireless-to-Offer-iPhone-on-June-22" target="_blank">Cricket Communications Inc. has announced</a> that its Cricket Wireless division <a href="http://www.mycricket.com/iphone" target="_blank">will be the first prepaid carrier in the U.S. to offer the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S to its customers</a>. Starting on June 22, Cricket customers can indulge in a $55 per month, flat-price prepaid plan that includes unlimited talk, text and data.<br /><br />Needless to say, that should be “unlimited” with an asterisk -- Cricket starts throttling data after 2.3GB, but that’s still a pretty reasonable deal considering what you’d pay one of the big three U.S. carriers on a two-year contract.<br /><br />There’s just one other catch: Customers will have to pay more for the device up front. An 8GB iPhone 4 will run you $399.99, while you’ll need to cough up $499.99 for an 16GB iPhone 4S. According to Cricket’s sign-up page, those are the only two models that will be available.<br /><br />That said, the prices are still cheaper than buying an unlocked iPhone directly from Apple, but note that Cricket Wireless runs on a CDMA network, so it’s not like you can buy the device and jump on a competing carrier’s network anyway. (Presumably international GSM roaming might still work, but Cricket’s website has no details as yet.)<br /><br />"Our customers want the best products available and we are excited to bring iPhone to our pre-paid consumers with an industry leading $55 per-month service plan," said Doug Hutcheson, president and chief executive officer, Leap Wireless International, Inc. "Launching iPhone is a major milestone for us and we are proud to offer iPhone customers attractive nationwide coverage, a robust 3G data network and a value-packed, no-contract plan."<br /><br />Cricket Wireless is the seventh-largest U.S. carrier according to Wikipedia, and <a href="http://www.mycricket.com/iphone" target="_blank">the company’s website claims</a> to have coverage in all 50 states. Prepaid iPhone users will enjoy no contract, zero activation fees, free overnight shipping and a 30-day money-back guarantee on top of their unlimited talk, text and data when it arrives on the network June 22.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/us_finally_gets_prepaid_iphone_thanks_cricket_wireless#commentsNewsApple Inc.Cricket Wirelessdata throttlingiphone 4iPhone 4SJunePrepaidprepaid iphoneunlimitedunlimited dataiPhoneThu, 31 May 2012 12:55:33 +0000J.R. Bookwalter14194 at http://www.maclife.com